Templeton Rawlins is a dragon shifter and lives for one thing. Imprisoned when his dragon heritage was revealed, and on a false charge of murder, he spends his long days in solitary confinement having dragon dreams of revenge. One man betrayed Tem to the authorities and this is who Tem desires to destroy. He knows he has little chance of breaking from the iron shackles that bind him and his … dragon magic to his human form. His frustrated dreams of his enemy’s destruction have eaten his soul, and make him a danger to any human who comes near him. While Tem’s shifter magic is bound, his dragon power of seduction is not, which is why the specially trained humans who bring him his food come in pairs. Then one night, a single human comes and speaks as if she has no fear of him. This human intrigues Tem, in ways he’d long forgotten.
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Templeton Rawlins is a dragon shifter who has been falsely imprisoned for murder for 24 years. In the facility he is kept there are also two other dragons, one full-blood and one half-breed. They are all housed separately, kept in iron chains that bind their dragons and magic behind several levels of thick glass and monitored 24/7 by cameras and guards. All Tem wants is to escape his prison and extract his revenge on the one that put him in this place. He does everything he can terrify the guards that tend to him and the others until one day when she walks in. She is the first to see him as something more than a monster, with sincerity, compassion and no fear, and he is extremely intrigued by her; then when she boldly walks into his cell and he inhales her scent, he knows he is doomed. His brain and inner dragon scream mate and he knows he has to do whatever it takes to escape with her and protect her at all costs.
Astrid Davis has always been fascinated by dragons ever since her grandmother told her stories from the old days about her family heritage and connection to dragons; even to go as far as get a degree in draconology. Now out of school and needing work she is hired as a third shift guard at the dragon prison. Though fascinated and drawn to all the dragons, there is one that holds her attention most. She feels an undeniable pull towards him and does not know why. Finding out that he is set for execution in two days’ time, she knows she has to act now to help him and the others escape; unaware of her connection and destiny with this dragon shifter.
As they barely escape and are pursued Tem takes them to the one place he knows he should not go but has no other choice – his aunt’s; Queen of Dragons. She is outraged at their arrival and the knowledge that Tem has bonded with a human and then later takes her as his mate. She imprisons them both with the intention of breaking their mating bond and threatens Astrid’s life to keep Tem in line. With help from an ally, he escapes and after learning where Astrid has been sent he quickly leaves to find her; praying he arrives before she is killed.
Reunited, they make plans to flee only to get caught by the man that had him falsely imprisoned. Another huge battle ensues and once again they barely escape and now are wanted fugitives with humans and dragons alike and have no choice but to flee.
This is a good start to the series and there is action, romance and suspense. It is a quick read that will keep you interested until the end with the many twists and turns of the story. The characters are well written and developed and the story flows well. Even though there is a HEA for the couple, the ending leaves you wanting more. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the series. What else lies in store for Tem and Astrid and what other obstacles they may have to overcome to be together?